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Wednesday, February 22, 2017

New Davis Chancellor

Georgia Tech engineering dean Gary S. May has been selected as the next UC Davis chancellor, University of California President Janet Napolitano announced Tuesday.

May, 52, would become UC Davis’ first African-American chancellor if regents approve his contract Thursday in Los Angeles. He is expected to start Aug. 1.

The St. Louis native has been at Georgia Tech for nearly 30 years. He has written more than 200 technical publications and contributed to 15 books on computer-aided manufacturing of integrated circuits, on which he also holds a patent, according to Napolitano’s announcement.

“He is a giant in his field,” said Ari Kelman, a UC Davis history professor and member of the selection committee. “He is an excellent scholar. He is a brilliant man. He is a talented and experienced leader and, as important or more important than any of that, is that he has a genuine commitment to the public mission of the University of California.”

May has UC ties, having earned a master’s degree and doctorate in electrical engineering and computer science from UC Berkeley in 1988 and 1991, respectively...